Deputies: Man fled on stolen motorcycle

ANNIE BLACKBURN Staff Writer
A Cherryville man was placed under arrest early Thursday morning after attempting elude a Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy on a stolen motorcycle. Coley Phillip Craft, 43, of 207 Bell Street in Cherryville, was charged with one felony count each of operating a motor vehicle while attempting to elude law enforcement, possession of stolen goods and larceny of a motor vehicle, according to a press release. Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy J. Counts was riding behind the motorcycle on Hulls Grove Church road on Thursday around 2 a.m. when he noticed the vehicle cross over the center line.
It then ran through a stop sign and onto the driveway of Bill Davis Trucking on Reep’s Grove Church Road before Craft dropped the vehicle and fled on foot into some nearby woods, according to deputies. The motorcycle had been reported stolen from the Cherryville Wal-Mart. Counts searched the area, located Craft and placed him under arrest. Craft was additionally cited for driving while impaired, driving while license revoked, reckless driving to endanger and resist, delay and obstruct a public officer. Craft is being held in the Lincoln County Detention Center under a $30,000 secured bond.